Creative and Cultural Industries Management MA

Overview

Blend academic insights with real-world experience. Develop expertise and confidence in fields such as music, heritage, tourism and media.  

On our Creative Cultural Industries Management MA you'll learn how to lead change and drive growth in a variety of sectors. whether in public, private, or non-profit organisations.

Learn about the key concepts, topics, and skills through modules taught at the School of Arts and Cultures and the triple accredited (EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA) Newcastle University Business School. You'll also draw upon expertise from research areas in the wider University community.  

We have strong partnerships with local and national media, digital studios, creative and cultural organisations. These include University strategic partners such as:

• The Glasshouse
• Opera North
• Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums

You’ll engage with guest speakers including Community Interest Companies (CICs) from the sector, addressing social justice and increasing inclusivity and access to the arts.

In semester 2, you’ll tailor your learning to your aspirations and career goals. 

On your final project you'll either focus on an individually designed research topic (an 8,000-word journal article) or a research topic set by a range of external organisations and freelancers (an 8,000-word professional report).   

You’ll be studying in a vibrant city campus with easy access to a rich cultural and creative scene.  Newcastle is a city with excellent transport links to key creative and media hubs, and less than 3 hours by train from London.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2025-26.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

During your course, you’ll explore:

• Industry trends analysis: understand the evolution of creative industries and using research methods to tackle current challenges
• Adapting to change: navigate social, cultural, and technological shifts in the sector
• Global & institutional contexts: recognise how creative industries intersect with cultural, legal, and political frameworks
• Ethical research & policy: apply research methodologies and understanding economic, policy, and legal frameworks, including intellectual property
• Strategic thinking & problem-solving: develop analytical and planning strategies to drive innovation.
• Cross-disciplinary & entrepreneurial skills: work across disciplines to foster creativity, and apply entrepreneurial approaches
• Communication & leadership: refine writing, speaking, and collaboration skills to advocate for the industry and engage with audiences
• Project & stakeholder management: learn how to plan and execute projects, manage teams, and work with stakeholders
• Cultural & audience engagement: understand marketing, event management, and policy evaluation to drive cultural participation
• Professional development: develop reflective skills, leadership, adaptability, and self-awareness for your long-term career success

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Creative and Cultural Industries Management

Full-Time (1 year)

You'll take the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits
Creative and Cultural Sector: Past, Present, Future	20
Policy, IP and AI	20
Creative Industry Consulting Project	20
Introduction to Research for Professional Practice	20
Music Research Project	60

You'll take TWO of the following modules to a value of 40 credits. If you want to pursue one of the named pathways, you must take 40 credits from within that pathway: 

Music Enterprise Pathway

Optional modules	Credits
Music & the Creative Economy: Concepts and Practices	20
Live Music Events: Management Marketing and Practice	20

Tourism and Heritage Pathway

Optional modules	Credits
Cultural Heritage and Tourism	20
Management Practices in Museums, Galleries and Heritage Studies	20
Heritage Matters	20

Writing for the Cultural Sector Pathway

Optional modules	Credits
The Profession of Writing	20
Freelancing in Media and Communications	20
Art Writing	20
The Power of Film Criticism	20

Artificial Intelligence Pathway

Optional modules	Credits
Social Media: Communication, Innovation and Ethics	20
AI Culture and Society	20

Additional (Non-Pathway) Options

Optional modules	Credits
Cultures of Data Visualisation	20
International Media and Law	20
Digital communication for cultural institutions and organisations	20

Part-Time (2 years)

Year 1

You'll take the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits
Creative and Cultural Sector: Past, Present, Future	20
Policy, IP and AI	20
Creative Industry Consulting Project	20

You'll also take a further module from the pathway modules listed above. options. If you want to pursue one of the named pathways, you must select 20 credits from within that pathway in both years of the degree.

Year 2

You'll take the following compulsory modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits
Introduction to Research for Professional Practice	20
Music Research Project	60

You'll also take a further module from the pathway modules listed above. If you who want to pursue one of the named pathways, you must have taken 40 credits from within that pathway by the end of the degree.

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

Our learning and teaching is student-centred. You'll complete a combination of compulsory and optional modules through:

• lectures
• seminars
• practical workshops

We also have a series of challenging guest lectures, master classes and workshops from experts and innovators in the creative sector.

The one-year course is divided into three semesters. You'll have assignments to complete and submit during the intervening weeks.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Essay
• Observation of professional practice
• Oral presentation
• Portfolio
• Report

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Your future

Careers

Benefiting from our extensive range of creative and cultural partners, you’ll gain first-hand experience from experts in this fast-growing sector. You'll be prepared for a career in a range of industries including:

• Visual and performing arts
• performing arts
• Music management
• film and digital media
• policy and leadership

Further Study

This course provides a route into PhD level study.

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative

Visit our Careers Service website

Our Careers Service

Our Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. 

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

The programme takes advantage of the School’s industry-facing, multi-purpose and flexible facilities. They allow students maximum creative freedom and development in their studies.  

You’ll have access to: 

• high-spec computing facilities 
• latest creative software 
• professional audio 
• other media production equipment 

as well as a team of highly-skilled technicians with expertise in creative production to support all practical projects.   

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

 

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

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